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Ray Leads Bearcats To Big Win Over Dardanelle

By Glenn M. Parrish

Democrat Editor

Pressed into a starting role under center due to a disciplinary matter, James Ray threw a 42-yard touchdown pass and returned an interception 29 yards for a touchdown in the span of 57 seconds and the Bearcats were off and running on their way to a 42-0 pounding of Dardanelle Friday night at Bearcat Stadium.

The completion to Matt Berry was Ray’s only pass attempt and Berry, who did not have a single carry last week, made the most of his two Friday, going 29 yards for a touchdown on one that made it 28-0 9:18 before halftime.

Missing Cody Harrel, the Bearcats (6-0, 3-0 Conference 4A-4) figured to rely on fullback Bryson May, who was up to the challenge with 116 yards on 12 carries.

It was a 28-0 lead for the Bearcats when May was called to the sideline for a breather. Justin Shackleford went 69 yards the next play and it was 35-0. Shackleford ran for 82 yards on three carries.

May’s second touchdown run, of 16 yards, followed an interception return of 47 yards by Berry and made it 42-0 at the half.

Dardanelle (4-2, 1-2) reached the Bearcat 2 in the final minute but a tackle for a loss by Ethan O’Bar and Brian Smith pushed the Sand Lizards back and Smith made sure the shutout stood on the final play of the night.